Felony Friendly Jobs in Rochester, NY

Best Industries in Rochester for People With Records

• ✓Healthcare
• ✓Optics & photonics
• ✓Food processing
• ✓Manufacturing
• ✓Education

Staffing Agencies in Rochester That Work With People With Records

Temp and staffing agencies are often the fastest way to get working. These agencies serve the Rochester metro area and are known to place people with criminal records.

• Manpower
• Express Employment Professionals
• Kelly Services
• Adecco
• Staffmark

New York Employment Laws for People With Records

Tips for Job Searching With a Record in Rochester

1. 1.Start with staffing agencies. Temp agencies are often the fastest way to get working. They have relationships with employers who are willing to hire people with records, and a temp-to-hire position can become a permanent job.
2. 2.Apply to multiple places at once. Do not wait for one application to come back before applying to the next. Apply to 5-10 places in the same week. The more applications you send, the better your chances.
3. 3.Be honest about your record. If asked, be upfront. Lying about your criminal history is grounds for immediate termination if discovered later. Briefly acknowledge what happened, explain what you have learned, and focus on what you bring to the job.
4. 4.Focus on industries with high demand. Warehouse, logistics, construction, and food service jobs tend to be the most accessible for people with records because these industries have chronic worker shortages.
5. 5.Use local reentry programs. Organizations like Goodwill, workforce development centers, and reentry coalitions can connect you with employers who actively hire people with records. They often know about job openings before they are publicly posted.
6. 6.Know your rights. Under the EEOC guidelines, employers must use individualized assessment — they cannot have a blanket ban on hiring people with records. Under the FCRA, you have the right to see and dispute your background check. If you are in a ban-the-box state or city, employers cannot ask about your record until later in the hiring process.

Reentry Employment Programs in Rochester

• RochesterWorks!
• Goodwill of the Finger Lakes
• Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) — Rochester
• PathStone
• Monroe County Reentry Task Force

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best felony friendly jobs in Rochester?

Rochester offers opportunities in healthcare support, manufacturing, food processing, warehouse and logistics (Amazon, UPS, FedEx), and retail (Walmart, Wegmans, Target). The food processing industry is a growing employer.

Does Rochester have ban-the-box laws?

Yes. New York State's ban-the-box law applies to private employers with 15+ employees. Article 23-A requires individualized assessment. Rochester employers must follow all state protections.

What staffing agencies in Rochester hire felons?

Staffing agencies in Rochester include Manpower, Express Employment Professionals, Kelly Services, Adecco, and Staffmark. Manufacturing and food processing placements are common.

What is the minimum wage in Rochester?

Rochester follows New York State's upstate minimum wage of $15.50 per hour. Many manufacturing and warehouse jobs start above minimum wage.